Saturday, October 2, 2010

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts, Aruba’s premier resort for romance, has launched a new Eco-Chic Aruba Wedding Experience for couples looking to go green on their big day. Bucuti has been committed to sustainable tourism for more than 25 years and has incorporated both environmentally friendly and locally influenced elements into its Eco-Chic Aruba Wedding Experience including:
* A location on one of the “Dream Beaches of the World” that provides spectacular scenery, reducing the need for air conditioning and lighting

* A ceremony and reception at the same location, or within close proximity to limit travel impact and expenses. If the distance between venues is too great to walk, earth-friendly options can be arranged. A horse drawn carriage is efficient, romantic and it doesn’t burn gas. Group transportation can also be arranged.

* Locally inspired décor including centerpieces made from recycled wine bottles and indigenous flowers or cacti in terra cotta pots

* Do it yourself (DIY) indigenous favors such as handmade boxes tied with palm leaves

* Reception menus including locally produced, grown and organically prepared food; authentic local dishes can also be incorporated

* Authentic Aruban entertainment such as a renowned steel pan player, Aruban waltz dancers and a crank operated piano known as Kah’I Orgel or a Tingilingi Box

* Traditional Aruban wedding favors like the “Bolo Preto” or “Black Cake” which is similar to a groom’s fruit cake

* Programs and place cards printed using recycled paper and non-toxic ink

* Palm leaf confetti instead of rice, which can be harmful to wildlife

Brides and grooms can rest assured that they have minimized the carbon footprint of their nuptials by choosing one of the greenest resorts in the Caribbean for themselves and their guests. Bucuti has an exhaustive amount of water and energy saving practices in place, sponsors several local environmental groups and has been certified Green Globe 21 since 2000 and ISO 14001 since 2003. Click here for a full list of environmental initiatives.

“At Bucuti, we are passionate about preserving the environment so we can share our spectacular island with brides and grooms well into the future,” said owner and CEO Ewald Biemans. “We look forward to many new couples immersing themselves in the natural beauty of Aruba through the Eco-Chic Aruba Wedding Experience.”

For more information on the Eco-Chic Aruba Wedding Experience, couples can contact Bucuti’s in-house wedding coordinator Nashette Wouters at weddings@bucuti.com. Nashette is trained by the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants and holds one of the highest distinctions in the industry as a Beverly Clark Certified Wedding Professional. Weddings start at $920.